Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide for 2025

The Best of Cabo San Lucas – Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula

Planning Your Trip to Cabo San Lucas

Cabo is a perfect getaway for anyone looking to enjoy great weather during the winter months, with plenty of outdoor activities, top-notch restaurants, and beautiful beaches. Located on the very tip of Baja California, Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s premier tourist destinations.

In this blog post, I’ll share a brief history of Los Cabos along with my travel photos and highlight the best places to stay, eat & drink. Plus, I’ll provide essential tips and important travel information. I’ve even included two of my favorite Mexican drinks at the end of the story, plus updates for 2025. Enjoy!

Why Cabo?

There are many reasons! It’s amazing that I can fly from Minneapolis during the freezing cold winter and be in sunny Cabo San Lucas in just 4 hours. This year, there was a 100-degree temperature difference – from -20 degrees at home to 80 degrees and sunny in Cabo. Every time I check into my hotel at Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos and walk through the lobby to see views of Land’s End (El Arco), I’m still in awe. I come to Cabo to escape the Minnesota winter and relax by the pool or take a dip in the Sea of Cortez.

Cabo San Lucas offers numerous activities for your vacation, including sailing, golfing, sport fishing, spa days, snorkeling, desert ATV rides, the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk, and much more.

Sunset Pueblo Bonito, Sky Pool

Sunset Cruises – Lands End & El Arco

Dinner at Monalisa

Where Should I Stay in Cabo?

The best areas for travelers include Cabo San Lucas (known for beaches and nightlife), San Jose Downtown (featuring its famous art district), Paraiso Escondido (also known as Land’s End on the Pacific Ocean side), and The Corridor between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas (perfect for golfing, surfing, and snorkeling). Let me break it down for you.

Cabo San Lucas: Medano Beach, Downtown & Marina

This is classic Cabo where it all started – Medano Beach on the Cabo San Lucas Bay is the southernmost beach and within walking distance of the harbor/marina and downtown San Lucas. The views of Land’s End and El Arco are unmatched here.The beach features numerous restaurants and bars to enjoy, or you can walk to downtown and the marina for more options. My favorite spot on Medano Beach is The Office bar (look for the blue umbrellas) – perfect for grabbing a drink and appetizers during happy hour.

Main hotels on the beach:

• Hacienda Beach Club & Residences
• Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa
• Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa
• Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos
• Booking & Reviews: Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Expedia

Pros of staying on Mondo Beach

• Swimmable beaches
• Water sports available directly from the beach (paddle boards, parasailing, wave runners, banana boat rides)
• Short boat ride to El Arco (the Arch) or Lovers Beach ($15 per person as of 2024)
• Beach bars including The Mango Deck and The Office
• Stunning views of Land’s End
• Walking distance to downtown and the marina

Cons of staying on Mondo Beach

• Persistent vendors selling their goods
• Crowded beach during peak season (though this can be a pro if you enjoy people watching!)

“The Corridor” (Between San Jose and San Lucas)

The 33-mile corridor that connects San Jose and San Lucas is perfect for quiet getaways. Almost everything you do outside your resort will require transportation. This is an ideal option if you prefer All-Inclusive Resorts or plan to rent a car to explore Cabo. Over the last 25 years, The Corridor has undergone constant development, with new resorts opening every year.

Land’s End – Pacific Ocean Side (Paraiso Escondido)

This area marks the very tip of the Baja Peninsula, facing southwest. Hotels on this side sit along the Pacific Ocean, and unfortunately, the strong currents and steep drop-offs make the beaches unswimmable. Depending on your resort’s location, you may be able to walk to the marina or downtown area. The beaches are peaceful, and most visitors prefer lounging at their resort pools rather than on the beach.

Whale Watching in Cabo

From December to early April, you can observe migrating Humpback whales from the Pacific-side beaches and around the Baja Peninsula. Whale watching tours are popular during this season and depart from the main marina.

Weather Tip: The Pacific winds make this area significantly cooler than the seaside, so bring a lightweight jacket or sweater for nighttime. It’s typically 10-15 degrees cooler when you factor in the wind chill.

Map of Cabo San Lucas and Playa El Medano

Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo together form Los Cabos – two distinctly different cities. San José del Cabo is a more traditional Mexican town, famous for its Thursday night art gallery crawl. This event runs every Thursday evening from 5-9 PM between November and June. The Gallery District Association established, promotes, and organizes this cultural experience.

For more information, visit their website: www.artcabo.com

Best Restaurants and Bars in Cabo San Lucas

The Baja California Peninsula offers exceptional dining experiences. Whether you choose a delicious street-side taco stand or an upscale seaside restaurant, you’ll find incredible food throughout Los Cabos. I’ve added another restaurant list at the end of the story.

Best Cabo Restaurants – Highly Recommended for Special Dinners ($100+ for 2 people)

• Roasted Grill & Bar (Specializing in open-fire grilled seafood and meats, excellent value)
• Edith’s & The Office on the Beach (Premium seafood & steaks – owned by Edith Jiménez)
• Hacienda Cocina & Cantina (Stunning views of Land’s End, exceptional ambiance and service)
• Sunset Monalisa (Reserve for sunset – spectacular views with dinner)
• Flora’s Field Kitchen also known as Flora Farms (located outside San José del Cabo)

Good Eats in Cabo San Lucas – Moderate Prices

• El Peregrino (One of Cabo’s best casual restaurants)
• Tiki Sushi Bar (Quality sushi, good value on the Marina)
• Mariscos Las Tres Islas (Excellent Mexican seafood)
• Tabasco Beach (Prime location on Médano Beach – good for breakfast)

Traditionally Mexican in Los Cabos

• Las Guacamayas (Excellent tacos at affordable prices)
• Los Tres Gallos (Beautiful outdoor courtyard restaurant)
• Mi Casa (Authentic dishes served in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere)
• El Jarro Cafe (Known for Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, and fresh-squeezed juices)

The Best Tacos & Taquerias in Cabo San Lucas

• Taqueria El Zarape (Budget-friendly and delicious – don’t miss their Queso Fundido)
• Tacos Guss (Authentic street tacos)
• El Gran Pastor (Specializing in pork tacos)
• Tacos Gardenias (Famous for fish tacos)

Best Bars in Cabo San Lucas

• Happy Ending Cantina (Top-rated dive bar)
• Cabo Wabo Cantina (Features live rock music)
• El Squid Roe (Popular dance club)
• Giggling Marlin (Known for entertainment and bar games)
• Mango Deck (Beachfront spring break hotspot)
• The Rooftop At The Cape (Spectacular views)

Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas

• Sunset Cruises & Sailing
• Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
• Whale Watching (In-Season)
• Beach Visits (Lovers Beach, Chileno Beach, Santa Maria, and Medano)
• Sport Fishing
• Desert ATV Tours
• Paddle Boarding & Kayaking (go early in the morning!)
• Jet Skiing & Parasailing
• Golfing – See recommendations in Golf Digest’s “Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Los Cabos”
• For current options, check out the 16 Best Golf Courses in Cabo San Lucas (2024 Update)

Essential Tips and Important Travel Information

Flying to Cabo San Lucas

For the best flight deals to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, search Skyscanner, Momondo, or Google Flights. Los Cabos International Airport (Airport Code: SJD) is located in San José del Cabo, approximately 30 minutes (33 miles) from Cabo San Lucas by taxi or shuttle. Minneapolis (MSP) travelers can find direct flights through Sun Country Airlines.

Important Airport Tip: Avoiding Timeshare Representatives

After clearing customs and claiming your luggage, you’ll see two doors leading in the same direction. Regardless of which door you choose, you’ll encounter timeshare representatives who may claim they work for the airport or your transportation company.

Don’t be fooled – these claims are false. Keep walking and don’t engage with anyone until you’re completely outside the airport. Everyone inside the airport after customs is selling timeshares. My advice: avoid eye contact and keep moving. Once outside, you’ll find legitimate shuttle and taxi services. Congratulations – you just saved 15 minutes of vacation time! Consider celebrating with a drink at the outdoor bar while waiting for your ride.

Transportation To and From the Cabo Airport

For budget travelers, the public bus to Cabo San Lucas is an excellent option. It’s a modern, air-conditioned bus that’s safe for all travelers. The only downside is frequent stops along the Los Cabos Corridor – the stretch of highway between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas – where resort workers get on and off.

For a VIP experience, you can book a private transfer from Cabo Airport in a luxury Escalade SUV. While expensive at around $185 round trip in 2024, it’s worth considering. I’ve used All Ways Cabo numerous times and found their service reliable. Alternatively, shared shuttle buses cost between $20 to $35 per person each way.

Is There Uber in Cabo?

Yes, but with limitations. As of 2024, Uber cannot pick up or drop off at the airport or inside major resorts. Many resorts have exclusive contracts with either blue or green taxi vans. However, my wife and I frequently used Uber around town and to Walmart with no issues. The savings are significant – while a taxi van charged $10 for a trip to Walmart, the same journey cost just $3.50 with Uber. Most rides around Cabo San Lucas average $4.

Pro Tip: To use Uber at resorts, simply walk outside the main gate for pickup

What You Should Know Before Renting a Car in Cabo

Renting a car in Cabo is similar to the United States and generally safe, but requires some extra consideration:

• Purchase full insurance to avoid issues with Mexican law
• Requirements: credit card, valid driver’s license, and passport
• Book your rental car online in advance to save money
• Consider paying in Mexican pesos for better rates
• Avoid driving at night
• Watch for stray dogs and cattle on roads, especially after dark

The Los Cabos Corridor aka “The Corridor”

The Los Cabos Corridor once a sleepy highway with cattle and dogs roaming has become a vacation destination with numerous resorts and timeshares along the coast between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. One the the best luxury resorts is Esperanza. As always I recommend comparing prices on booking.com, tripadvisor.com and expedia.com.

Money: Can I Use U.S. Dollars in Cabo?

Yes, American dollars are widely accepted throughout Cabo. However, businesses typically offer a lower exchange rate than banks or resorts. For the best rates, use your debit card to withdraw pesos or exchange your U.S. dollars at official locations.

You can exchange cash at:

• Your resort (bring your passport)
• Local banks usually give the best rates (passport required)
• Currency exchange offices (cambios) offering competitive rates

As of January 2025, 1.00 US Dollar = approximately 20 Mexican Pesos (rates fluctuate daily)

Money-Saving Tips:

• When restaurants ask if you want your credit card charged in U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos, choose pesos for the best exchange rate
• ATMs: Only use the ATM machines at banks when possible
• Check current rates at USD to MXN Converter

Tipping Guide:

• Restaurants: 15-20% for good service (verify if it’s not already included)
• Taxis: Price is typically fixed by zone and includes tip
• Always confirm taxi prices before starting your journey

Cash Tip: Bring $50-$100 in crisp $1 bills for tipping bartenders, bellhops, housekeeping, and other service staff.

Look up the current rate: USD to MXN

Best Times to Visit Cabo

The ideal time to visit Los Cabos is between mid-April and mid-June, just after the American Spring Break crowds depart. However, if you’re escaping the Midwest winter like me, you’ll need to brave the peak-season crowds! October and November are also excellent months for a vacation, though you’ll want to book accommodations early to secure better rates.

Peak Holiday Periods:

• Easter
• Christmas
• New Year’s
• Thanksgiving

Weather Overview:

• Year-round warm temperatures
• December-April: Mild, pleasant weather
• July-September: Wet season
• June-November: Hurricane season

The weather is hot all year, with lower temperatures Dec–Apr. Summer (Jul–Sep) is wet. Hurricane season is Jun–Nov.

Cabo Weather – Average Monthly Temperature Chart.

Weather Differences: Pacific Ocean (Land’s End) vs. Medano Beach

There’s a significant climate variation between the Pacific Ocean side and the Bay of Cabo San Lucas (Medano Beach area). The Pacific side experiences:

• Cooler temperatures due to ocean winds and breezes
• Possible cloudy conditions while the bay side remains sunny
• Temperature differences up to 10-20 degrees compared to the bay side
• Distinct microclimate despite the short distance between areas

Is Cabo safe for a family vacation?

Cabo San Lucas remains one of Mexico’s safest tourist destinations, with robust security measures in place. While the U.S. Department of State advises general caution when traveling to Mexico, Los Cabos maintains strong safety standards for tourists.

Essential safety tips for your Cabo vacation:

1. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas
2. Stick to well-traveled tourist zones and resort areas
3. Use official transportation services (registered taxis, Ubers, hotel shuttles, or licensed tour operators)
4. Store valuables in your hotel safe
5. Travel with companions, particularly after dark
6. Keep emergency numbers handy (911 works throughout Cabo)
7. Stay hydrated and use sun protection (the Cabo sun is intense!)
8. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for travel alerts
9. Only swim at designated safe beaches with green flags
10. Carry only the cash you need for the day

Most tourist-related incidents in Cabo are minor and preventable with basic precautions. The resort areas, marina, and popular beaches are well-patrolled and secure.

Is the water safe to drink in Cabo San Lucas?

While tap water in Cabo should be avoided for drinking, the situation with purified water is excellent. All restaurants and resorts are required to use purified water for ice, cooking, and drinking water service.

What to know about water in Cabo:

• Always drink bottled water in your room or while out exploring
• Feel confident ordering drinks with ice in restaurants and bars
• Enjoy fresh salads and fruits in restaurants – they’re prepared with purified water
• Most hotels provide complimentary bottled water daily
• Brush teeth with bottled water to be extra cautious
• Stay well-hydrated, especially during outdoor activities

The high standards in tourist areas mean you can safely enjoy drinks and fresh foods without worry. However, it’s still wise to stick with bottled water for drinking in your room or while on the go.

Explore Los Cabos Yourself

I hope this guide helps you plan your next trip to Cabo. Go for the weather, beaches, nightlife or simply relax. Salud!

A Quick History of Cabo Tourism

Starting in the 1950s, the Mexican government decided Cabo San Lucas would cease to be a cannery town and would instead be developed as a major tourist destination based on sport fishing. The real “boom,” however, happened in Cabo much later, only about 20 years ago.

From a sleepy fishing village: Early Cabo from the 1950s to the 1970s was very remote, with only a handful of small hotels and no paved roads to connect it to any major towns or cities. To reach Land’s End, you needed to either fly in private planes or arrive by boat. Fishing has always been king in Cabo and was the main reason to visit in the early days—to catch Marlins.

In the 1960s and 1970s, word spread about a very exclusive vacation spot on the tip of Baja. The rich and famous of Hollywood could fly from Los Angeles to Land’s End in their private planes. Major celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and Bing Crosby were among those who visited.

By 1974, Mexican workers from the Hotel Hacienda started dredging the marina. At that time, there were only two other main hotels: Finisterra and Mar de Cortez.

The major expansion of the international airport in San José del Cabo and new parts of Mexican Federal Highway 1 started a relatively unchecked building boom along The Corridor and in Cabo San Lucas. Today, Los Cabos is a top destination in Mexico with over 3 million visitors each year.

Flying to Baja in the 1970’s & 1980’s: Check out this story from Keith Peterman sharing photos and memories flying into Cabo.

Photos from Cabo San Lucas

ATV Desert Tour in Baja

Sunset pirate ship cruise on Pacific side of Lands End.

Edith's – Lobster & Steak Dinner

San Jose del Cabo

I’m Loving Airbnb or VRBO for Mexico Trips

In the last 6 months, I have traveled to Puerto Vallarta (PV), Playa del Carmen (Playa), and Cabo San Lucas. For both my trips to PV and Playa, I booked my stays with either Airbnb or VRBO. In PV, my wife and I stayed at a newly built condo 2 blocks from the beach with an infinity rooftop pool with ocean views for $65 a night in November. For my Playa vacation with a buddy, we booked two different places, both with 2 bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, and paid $100 a night. Both condos were very modern with rooftop pools and were walkable to the beach and 5th Ave.

Therefore, if you want to save money, dislike hotel stays, or want to get away for cheap in Mexico, check out Airbnb and VRBO for great deals. The time is now because I believe Mexican tourist destinations have been overdeveloped with condos, creating a ton of competition to drive down prices.

Puerto Vallarta Condo – See if you can spot Melissa.

Rooftop pool in Playa

San Jose del Cabo

Try one of these Mexican cocktails while on vacation in Cabo!

Are you tired of Mexican beer and traditional margaritas? If so, try one of these drinks – Paloma or Pineapple Mezcal Margarita.

The Paloma cocktail is most commonly prepared by mixing tequila with a grapefruit-flavored soda such as Fresca, Squirt, or Jarritos, and served on the rocks with a lime wedge. Adding salt to the rim of the glass is also an option. Fresh juice Paloma recipe.

Change up your traditional margarita with a Pineapple Mezcal Margarita. The sweetness of the pineapple balances the smoke of the mezcal. One variation to this drink: see recipe.

Paloma Cocktail

Grilled Pineapple Margarita with Mezcal